Johnson Proposes bill for Elmont and Floral Park

Dear Friends,

As you may know, the State recently approved a new franchise agreement for the New York Racing Association (NYRA) to continue the operations of Belmont Race Track, Saratoga Race Track and The Aqueduct. I voted againts this legislation for two reasons - it included no financial benefit for Elmont and Floral Park (it did not include Video Lottery Terminals, which I support) and it failed to include a community advisory board for Belmont, though it did include such a board for Saratoga and Aqueduct.

Two weeks ago, I introduced legislation that would fix a great injustice for the residents of Elmont & Floral Park by creating a community advisory board so that the residents who bear the brunt of hosting the race track would have a voice in its future direction.

According to my bill, the board would be comprised of 15 members; four appointed by the Elmont Community Coalition of Civics, four appointed by the Town of Hempstead (three of whom must reside in Elmont), four appointed by the Village of Floral Park and three appointed by NYRA.

I am very hopeful that the Senate Republican Majority will decide to put progress over partisanship and allow my bill to come to the floor for a vote. The residents of Elmont and Floral Park deserve nothing less.

Senator Craig Johnson